Americans Living in Israel Will Be Able to Vote in June Elections

May 22, 1981

Tel Aviv (May. 21)

Over 1,000 Americans who have been living in Israel for many years will this time be able to vote in the Israeli elections on June 30, for the first time, without losing their American citizenship. They are people who signed declarations opting out of Israeli citizenship at the time of their immigration to Israel, to avoid losing their U.S. citizenship under American law.

Under an arrangement reached after lengthy negotiations between the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI) and the Israeli and American authorities, they have now been able to “opt back in” to Israeli citizenship without jeopardizing their U.S. nationality.

Americans, who are not usually allowed to serve in foreign armies without losing citizenship, can also abide by both Israeli and U.S. regulations by formally protesting their induction into the Israel army when called up as citizens or residents under the army law. Their legal status is thus of men or women “impressed into service” rather than as volunteering.